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| Sunday, 6 November 2005 |
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Sports |  |
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Straight Talk by Lal Gunesekera PIU begins investigations into NOC and Sports Ministry mess The Presidential Investigation Unit (PIU) commenced investigations into various allegations against the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Sri Lanka and certain top notches of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports last Thursday (November 3) afternoon and are expected to complete it at least by Friday (November 11). I reliably understand that two members of the National Sports Council (names withheld on request) had met the officials of the PIU on October 31 and another prominent personality too had met the PIU last Wednesday (November 2) and persuaded them to conduct investigations, which the PIU had promised to complete within a week. This all stems from the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Jeevan Kumaratunga, amending the Sports Law No. 25 of 1975, which enables the two chameleons of the NOC, President Hemasiri Fernando and Secretary Cmdr (rtd) H. U. Silva, to continue in office for an unprecedented third four-year term. The annual general meeting of the NOC is scheduled for November 14. However, now with the PIU moving in the matter, there is a possibility of the annual general meeting being postponed. Knowing Fernando and Silva, they are not going to take anything lying down. This duo with high connections to both the government and opposition are likely to bring severe pressure on the authorities in an attempt to halt the investigation, which also involves financial mismanagement. Minister Kumaratunga is left with only five more days if he is to revoke the dangerous amendment to Sports Law No. 25 of 1975. If not, the NOC 'big shots' could continue for yet another four years. He even pledged in front of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, the Presidential candidate at a function at Temple Trees, that he (the Minister) will meet with the NSC on either Tuesday or Wednesday, but with the government's Budget scheduled to be presented in Parliament on Tuesday (8th November) this is unlikely to take place. Even President Chandrika Kumaratunga was informed about the misdeeds of the NOC and certain big wigs of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in a letter addressed to her on October 9, requesting an independent inquiry. The National Sports Council (NSC) have been bypassed by the Minister Kumaratunga on numerous occasions. They are hardly consulted, and even if they are, their observations are not taken into account. The only honourable way out for the NSC is to resign immediately if the Minister is not willing to listen to their advice. Even the NSC were not consulted when Minister Kumaratunga decided to amend Sports Law No. 25 of 1975. I also know for certain that a sum of US Dollars 110 million was collected by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to be distributed among the Boxing Day tsunami affected countries. If 10 per cent was given to the NOC of Sri Lanka, it amounts to over Rs. 110 million and was this money directed to the Sports Development Fund (SDF) as stipulated by law? Also, has the Auditor-General Mayadunne, audited the accounts of the NOC, now 11 months overdue? Let's wait and see how this episode will end. HU continues in the news Cmdr (rtd) H. U. Silva, is not only the Secretary of the NOC, but also the Director of the Sugathadasa Stadium National Sports Complex Authority (SSNSCA) who was appointed by the then Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, S. B. Dissanayake. A complaint has been lodged with the Womens Bureau of the Police by the Deputy Directress in charge of finance at the SSNSCA that Director Silva had harassed and abused her in the presence of other employees and even gone to the extent to say that he (Silva) will see to it that she will be demoted. According to the Stadium Act, it clearly states that the management/administration will be by the Board of Management of the SSNSCA. If this is correct, how could the Director take decisions to demote this member of the fair sex. What are the main reasons? Electricity, water bills and rent were deducted from his salary from March this year for his official quarters within the Complex. This came about after the SSNSCA, Chairman Gamini Netticumara (a close buddy of Minister Kumaratunga) took over and found that Silva was occupying his quarters free of charge from the day of his appointment. However, Cmdr Silva had managed to get round the Secretary of the Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry, S. Ranugge, to advice Minister Kumaratunga to inform the SSNSCA not to (repeated not to) deduct rent from his salary. What will happen now? Will the Womens Bureau conduct an investigation into this complaint of the Deputy Directress? The officer-in-charge of the Bureau is supposed to be in the Interim Committee of the Kabbadi Association. Interesting isn't it? Injunction issued The Appeal Court issued an injunction order to stay any construction now under way in the proposed Rifle Range at the premises of the Sri Lanka Judo Association (SLJA) at a Car Park of the Sugathadasa Stadium. The next hearing is tomorrow (November 7). The government of Japan donated a sum of Rs. 5.5 million to the SLJA in 1999 to construct a training centre. Earlier, the SLJA were allocated some land by the UDA at Kotte, but subsequently were given land at the present location. Even a MOU was signed between the Stadium authorities and the SLJA for the construction. The Ministry gave the SLJA Rs. 2 million for this project, while a sum of Rs. 1.5 million was collected through members of the SLJA. The Japanese Ambassador in Sri Lanka, Akio Suda, too protested to Minister Kumaratunga about the constructing of a Shooting Range at the premises meant for the SLJA and stated in his letter: "I am extremely disturbed by this unilateral move of your Ministry to refurbish a part of this building or its space for other purposes, thereby defeating the Japanese government's sincere efforts to promote Judo in Sri Lanka". Ambassador Suda strongly protested against this decision of the Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry made without any consultation with the Japanese Embassy, and that this action by the Ministry "would have negative effect on our confidence". The Ambassador requests Minister Kumaratunga to take immediate steps to reconsider the decision. However, the construction of the Rifle Range went ahead despite Ambassador Suda's protests and now the Appeal Court has issued an injunction. Outstanding from SLC Nearly Rs. 11 million is due to the Sugathadasa Stadium National Sports Complex Authority (SSNSCA) from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) for ground hire, hoarding charges, catering etc for quite sometime. Letters have been sent to SLC requesting for payment, but not a cent has been forthcoming. When will SLC pay this outstanding amount to SSNSCA and what action will the latter take to recover the money? Unbelievable Can you believe it? Havelocks just could not find 15 players to represent them in the Western Province RFU organised Under-21 final against CR & FC at Havelock Park last week. They conceded a walk-over. Havelocks failed to turn up for the game. What was the reason trotted out? Seven players were involved in an Inter-Departmental tournament for their employer, John Keells. It's quite 'Okay' You have to give first preference to your employer, but what is difficult to reason out is for a club like Havelocks unable to find seven replacements. What a shame! Anoma doing fine in UK Her dreams of running for her motherland were shattered when she was given a raw deal by the athletic officials in her own country of birth. She then migrated to the United Kingdom after the 2002 Asian Championships in Colombo. I am referring to 25-year-old Anoma Sooriyarachchi, one of the top women's sprinters who is now going great guns in Wales. She is coached by Great Britain athlete Gwyn Williams at the University of Wales Athletic Centre and trains with an elite group of international athletes. She won the 60 metres with a time of 7.55 second at the Bermingham Indoor Games, while recording 7.54 seconds at the Jeff White AAW International. Anoma also won the 60 metres in 7.52 seconds at the UK Indoor City Cup. Anoma also runs in the 100 metres and was placed fourth with 11.98 seconds at the Cardiff Centenary Games (incorporating the Welsh Senior Championships) at the Leckwith Stadium. Then in the Long Jump, she recorded 5.86 metres at the UKWL Division III in Cardiff. This former Southlands BMV and Visakha athlete, has lowered her personal best in the 60 metres on several occasions, and hopes to improve her status as an international athlete in the outdoor season too. She represented Sri Lanka at the World Championships in Edmonton, Canada in 2001, Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England in 2002 as well as the Asian Games in Busan, South Korea also in 2002. Hooliganism at waterpolo Now, hooliganism has crept into Waterpolo too. During the Royal-Thomian fixture at the former's pool, two players from opposing sides traded punches. This spread with the spectators too joining in. Not stopping at that, even some armed personnel got involved and were seen assaulting spectators. What has sports come to! |
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